Our three days in Rome is now looking more like two days, since our plane arrives at 2:40 p.m. on Oct 12 and we depart by train to Florence on Oct.15 at 8:30 a.m. We are staying at a B&B called Notti a Roma, located in the historical center on Via Firenze and is less than 1 km. from the Ternini Train Station. What advice can you give us for our first night (restaurant that is walking distance?) and next two days? I'm thinking of tours for the Vatican, Ancient Rome and Borghese Gardens. What order do you recommend for these tours on Thursday and Friday? Is there something else we MUST SEE, and is there time?? Thanks so much for your help!

I was there in February with a very similar schedule. One piece of advice..if you plan to go to the Vatican get there EARLY! Our first full day we got there early afternoon and the line was 3 hours long. With only 2 full days I didn't want to spend it waiting in line. We came back the 2nd day before it opened and only waited about 1/2 hour. Have a great trip. It's beautiful there!

I apologize..I meant the Sistine Chapel.

have you checked out the "destinations" tab at the top of this page and then click your way to Rome? There's planned itineraries that may help.

As long as a hotel is located within the walls of Rome, they will say they are in the "historic center." Unfortunately that is not accurate and Via Firenze, while indeed very close to Termini, is not in the historic center. You will be close to the Opera and Piazza della Repubblica, where you will be able to catch the Metro and several bus lines. There is a Sicilian tavola calda (cafeteria) in the Galleria Esedra called Dagino that is very good for a quick meal. Also within a 15 minute walk you have Trattoria Monti on Via San Vito, Cantina Cantarini on Piazza Sallustio and Colline Emiliane on Via Avigonese.

If you only have two days, maybe you'd rather check things out on your own than sign up for a bunch of tours. Just a suggestion.

With only two full days I am not sure I'd do a tour of the Borghese Gardens (I'm assuming you're including the Villa Borghese museum in this description).

I would probably schedule ancient Rome (Colosseum and Forum) for one day and the Vatican for another day, and in the time remaining each day wander around the city, seeing the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, several churches, several gelato stops, pizza and pasta stops, etc.